Some ag experts say Indiana
crop conditions are getting worse by the day due to the drought.
Purdue Extension corn specialist Bob Nielsen says only 19
percent of Indiana's
corn crop is rated good to excellent by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
"A break in the drought and heat for the remainder of the
season would certainly minimize further deterioration of the corn crop but
would not result in recovery to anywhere close to normal yields," Nielsen said
in a release.
Purdue Extension agricultural economist Chris Hurt estimates
that as of July 1, Indiana
had already lost 20 percent of the expected corn yields.
Soybeans are doing a bit better, down 15 percent from the
expected yields.
"Soybean yields are significantly related to August
temperatures and precipitation," Hurt said. "There is still potential for yield
recovery in soybeans up until late July and even into August."
All of this could mean higher prices at the grocery story.
Hurt says customers are likely to see an increase in food prices of 2.5
percent to 3.5 percent into 2013.
